Utah Valley University (UVU) hosted a town hall event titled "The Abundant University: A Vision for Higher Education" on Thursday, February 26. The event featured Dr. Michael D. Smith, author of “The Abundant University: Remaking Higher Education for a Digital World,” and Dr. TJ Bliss, associate commissioner and chief academic officer for the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).
Utah Valley University (UVU) hosted a town hall event titled "The Abundant University: A Vision for Higher Education" on Thursday, February 26. The event featured Dr. Michael D. Smith, author of “The Abundant University: Remaking Higher Education for a Digital World,” and Dr. TJ Bliss, associate commissioner and chief academic officer for the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).
The town hall explored the innovative ideas presented in Smith's book, focusing on how UVU can adapt to global changes, industry shifts, and societal needs to become a more inclusive and future-ready institution. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the speakers and discuss the future of higher education in Utah.
“Dr. Smith is one of the most respected voices examining how higher education must adapt in a rapidly changing world,” said Wendy Simmerman, senior director of workforce alignment. “His scholarship and insights on the evolution of higher education offer a valuable, forward‑looking perspective that our campus needs as we navigate our own period of growth and transformation. His visit will help our community think boldly and intentionally about the future we are shaping together, energizing and informing the important decisions ahead.”
The event supports UVU’s broader strategy to integrate data-informed, technology-enhanced approaches to teaching and student success. These efforts include expanding hybrid, online, and stackable credential pathways that make education more accessible for working adults, first-generation learners, and underserved communities. By prioritizing flexibility and real-time data insights, UVU is advancing many of the practices Smith highlights as essential for the future of higher education.
Smith is the J. Erik Jonsson Professor of Information Technology and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College and codirects the Initiative for Teaching and Education Analytics. His book received the 2024 Frandson Award for Literature and was named by Forbes as one of the “Best Higher Education Books” of 2023.
